Young Receivers Fight for Spots

Fred Greetham

08/23/2005

Following on last night's Flash Analysis of the receiver position, Fred Greetham talks to the team's young receivers to get a sense of how the competition is going. Here's an update on that battle and Wednesday's injury updates...

"It's always competitive," Jackson said. "With Andre leaving, it opens up a
spot and I intend to keep that spot."

Cribbs had four nice catches during the 7-on-7 drills and 11-on-11 time.

"Converting to receiver has been tough," he said. "It's been a challenge, but
I feel I'm picking it up and getting used to playing at this level."

Rideau has three receptions thus far in the preseason for 34 yards. Jackson,
Moore and Alston each have one reception. Cribbs and Jones have yet to catch a
pass. Cribbs, however has made a major impact in the kick return game as he has
returned four kickoffs for 141 yards (35.3 avg.). He also returned a punt for
five yards. Rideau, Moore and Cribbs are undrafted rookie free agents. Cribbs'
kickoff return performance against the Lions last Saturday might have clinched
the return position for him.

Alston has one kick return for 29 yards. However, Alston was the Browns
primary kick return man in 2004. He returned 46 kicks for 1,016 yards (22.1
avg.) including a 93 yard touchdown against Baltimore on Nov. 7. Jackson caught
13 passes for 168 yards (12.9 avg.) in 2004. He has 16 receptions for 203 yards
(12.7 avg.) in his three year career. Jackson also returned four kicks for 70
yards.

"It's real competitive at the receiver spot," Alston said. "It's always going
to be very competitive at this level. I'm just hoping I can show what I can do
in the next couple of games."

Jackson wants to not only make the team, but he wants to be a key contributor
to the Browns offense.

"There's no room for error," Jackson said "I want to be a go to guy, not just
someone who makes the team. I want Trent (Dilfer) or whoever is the quarterback
to look for me."

It might come down to special teams. Alston and Jackson each have three
tackles on special teams thus far in the preseason. Cribbs has shown the most
athleticism after being converted from a quarterback at Kent State to a wide
receiver. Jackson was a quarterback at Western Illinois and threw a pass last
season.

"I think I can be used in many ways on this team," Cribbs said. "Right now, I
feel I can really help on kickoff returns."

INJURY UPDATE: CB Gary Baxter (concussion) missed both practices and is
expected to miss Friday's game with the Panthers. RB Lee Suggs (ankle) has also
been ruled out of the game. CB Daylon McCutcheon (headaches) continued to work
on individual drills along with CB Michael Lehan (hamstring) and S Brodney Pool.OL John Dunn (ankle) missed practice along with DL Ivory McCoy.